Northdale triple murder: man suspected web affair

ERWIN Ramsamuj (20) has been indicted to stand trial in the Pietermaritzburg high court from February 20 to 24 next year on charges that he murdered his lover, Merle Maistry (44), and her two companions, Kubendran “Jeff” Pillay (45) and Musawenkosi Ndlovu (35).

He allegedly shot all three victims at close range in a house in Larkspur Road in Northdale on May 18 this year.

The state alleges that Ramsamuj suspected Maistry was having an affair with another man who he believed she met on the Internet, said the indictment.

Ramsamuj was arrested near the scene within an hour of the murders.

The killings sent shockwaves through the local community.

Ramsamuj appeared in court soon afterwards, but has not been asked to plead to any of the charges.

He initially indicated he intended to apply for bail, but later abandoned his bail application.

The state’s indictment, which was served on him in the magistrate’s court yesterday, said the three murder victims were neighbours, while Maistry and Ramsamuj were involved in an “intimate relationship”.

It said he resolved to confront Maistry about the suspected affair at the home of Pillay, where he knew she often went.

Allegedly anticipating violence, though uncertain of what would happen at Pillay’s house, Ramsamuj armed himself with a 9 mm pistol, the state said.

When he entered he allegedly saw Maistry talking on her cellphone and demanded that she hand it over.

She refused, which angered Ramsamuj.

He allegedly shot her at close range in the head before turning the gun on the other occupants of the house.

• ingrido@witness.co.za

Join the conversation!

24.com encourages commentary submitted via MyNews24. Contributions of 200 words or more will be considered for publication.

We reserve editorial discretion to decide what will be published. Read our comments policy for guidelines on contributions.

24.com publishes all comments posted on articles provided that they adhere to our Comments Policy. Should you wish to report a comment for editorial review, please do so by clicking the 'Report Comment' button to the right of each comment.

Tell us a bit about yourself:

Saving your profile

Settings

News24 allows you to edit the display of certain components based on a location.
If you wish to personalise the page based on your preferences, please select a
location for each component and click "Submit" in order for the changes to
take affect.

Your Location*

Weather*

Always remember my setting

Saving your settings

Facebook Sign-In

Hi News addict,

Join the News24 Community to be involved in breaking the news.

Log in with Facebook to comment and personalise news, weather and listings.